AFRICA. 103 
iftterruptlng the cadence, while with their 
voices they accompany the found of the in- 
ftruments, and continually chant hoo^ hoo I 
This is the general burden of their fong. 
Sometimes one of the dancers quitting the 
circle, goes to the centre, and there forms 
alone a few fteps after the Englifli manner; 
all the merit and beauty of which confift in 
performing them with equal quicknefs and 
precifion, without ftirring from the fpot 
where he ftands. After this they all quit 
each other's hands ; follow one another care- 
lefsly, with an air of terror and melancholy, 
their heads leaning to one fhoulder, and their 
eyes caft down towards the ground, which 
they look at with attention; and a moment 
after they break forth in the livelieft de- 
monftrations of joy, and the moft extravagant 
merriment. They are highly delighted with 
this contraft, when it is well performed. 
AH this is at bottom but an alternate af- 
femblage of very droll and amufing panto-^ 
mimes. It mufl: be obferved that the dancers 
make a hollow and monotonous kind of hum- 
ming, which never ceafes but when they 
join the fpedators, to fing the wonderful 
chorus hoo^ hoo! which appears to be the 
H 4 life 
